Lowering device.



C. H. FAWCETT.

LOWERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 1915.

Patented June 6, 1916.

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. LOWERINGDEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1915- 1,185,990. Patented June 6, 1916.

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CHARLES H. FAWCETT, OF INDEPENDENCE, IOWA.

LOWERING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Application filed May 28, 1915. Serial No. 30,921.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. FAWGETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Independence, in the county of Buchanan and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Lowering Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for lowering heavy bodies upon their supports or foundations. WVhile it may be used in various other relations, the device is especially adapted for lowering heavy blocks of stone into final position in masonry work and in the setting of monuments. Inasmuch as the device is especially useful in the setting of monuments, I shall describe and explain the invention in that connection.

The typical monument comprises a foundation, a base stone and the main stone which rests upon the base and is sometimes called the die. The main stone is frequently of fine material and highly polished and, as it frequently weighs severaltons, it must be handled with considerable care in setting. The stone can, with comparative case, be moved into position over the base and lowered onto supporting blocks of an inch or so of thickness; but, inasmuchv as the joint of cement or lead between the base and the main stone is rarely more than oneeighth of an inch thick, ordinary grappling hooks or irons that would engage the under side of the die cannot be employed to lower,

it into final position. Commonly it has been the practice to clamp the die between heavy timbers of a length to project beyond the ends of the die and afford suitable abutments for lowering jacks or bars or as means for attachment to the lifting devices of a derrick. This prior method has been cumbersome and, in addition, it presents the danger of a heavy die slipping between the clamps and chipping or otherwise injuring its corners by impact on the base.

The object of my present invention is to provide a device by means of which a heavy monument stone can be lowered into final position with ease and-safety.

In the accompanying drawings, which show the invention in its preferred forms, Figure 1 is a .plan view of the device according to one form of construction; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a left-end elevation of the same; Fig. 4- is a .vertical section on the line 41 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the. device; Fig. 7 is a leftend elevation of the device shown in Fig. 6; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the device as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 in connection with the base and die or main stone of the monument, to show the manner in which the lowering device is used; Fig. 11 is a vertical section through the base stone, the die and the lowering device with a lever bar in operative engagement with the lowering device; and Fig. 12 is a plan view of the base stone of the monument showing the supporting leads in position.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, 1 is an elongated or strap-like plate of metal which constitutes the main part of the device. This metallic plate is comparatively thin being in practice made of 3/32 of an inch thick cold rolled steel that is very tough and strong. At one end, which I will refer to as the power end of the apparatus, the plate 1 is bent upward as at 2 and is secured as by rivets 3, 3, to a power receiving device in the form of a wedge-shaped casting 4. In the preferred form of construction shown the plate is carried over the rounded upper end of the casting 4 and downward as at 5 on the opposite side of the casting, being firmly secured by the rivets 3. The casting is formed with an aperture 6 and the upturned part 2 of the plate 1 is formed with a corresponding aperture 7 which registers with the aperture 6,

a socket being thus formed of which the downward turned part 6 of the plate forms the bottom. This socket is designed to receive the end of a lifting bar, as will hereinafter be explained, the upper wall of the aperture 6 of the casting being rounded as at 45 to form a suitable abutment for the bar. The opposite end of the plate or strap 1, which I will refer to as the abutment end of the apparatus, carries an abutment 8. This abutment -is adjustably and removably secured on the plate 1 by means of a channel iron 9 and bolts 10,10, which pass through the channel iron 9 and the abutment block 8, the plate 1 being formed with two rows In the modified form of construction I shown in Figs. 6 and 7 there are two straplike plates 14, 14, each of which 18 at one end bent upward to form an upstanding section 15 which is secured by rivets 16 to a wedge-like casting 17, the plate being carried over the upper rounded end of the casting and downward on its opposite side so as to be secured by the rivets 16. Each of the castings 17 is formed with a hole 18 to receive a section of shaft or round-rod 19, the castings being spaced apart as shown so that the middle part of the rod 19 is exposed for engagement by the end of a lifting bar. The opposite ends of the plates 14 are formed with bolt holes 20, 20 as in the other form of construction and each of the plates is provided with an abutment 21 which is adjustably and removably secured by an angle iron 22 and bolts 23, 23.

The manner in which the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is used will readily be understood from an inspection of Figs. 8 to 12. In Fig. 8 the main stone or die (L of the monument is shown in position above the base stone 7), the die being spaced from the base stone and supported by blocks 0, c. Assuming that the joint between the base and die is to be formed of lead, the leads (Z, (Z will be placed in position on the base stone as indicated in Fig. 12. These leads are commonly an inch square and an eighth of an inch thick. Next, the abutment of the lifting device is removed and the strap-like part slipped under the die to the position indicated in Fig. 8, a thin sheet of lead 6 being preferably introduced between the face of the die and the lifting device as indicated, and a wooden wedge f being introduced beneath the lifting device to hold it temporarily in position; the sheet of lead 0 is designed to prevent injury of the face or corner of the die. The abutment 8 is now placed upon the plate 1 as indicated in Fig. 9, the abutment being adjusted so as to engage the adjacent face of the die, though preferably asmooth strip of wood 9 is introduced between the stone and the abutment to prevent injury of the stone. A strip of wood It is then laid on the base stone and a wedge is introduced beneath the plate 1 adjacent the abutment. It will be observed that by providing the extended series of bolt holes in the Plate 1, the device is adapted for use with stones of a wide range in size; and it will be seen that the slotted construction of the abutment 8 affords a nice adjustment of the abutment and permits it to be set snugly against the adjacent face of the die or of the protecting strip g.

A fulcrum block Z is now placed on the base block of the monument adjacent the power end of the lowering device as inclicated in Fig. 11, and a suitable lifting bar m is applied so as to engage the socket of the power receiving device and apply sufficient force to lift the adjacent side of the die to permit removal of the blocks 0, 0

under that side of the stone and the substitution of thinner blocks upon which the die can then be lowered, the wedge f having first been removed. If, for example, the

initial supporting blocks were an inch thick,

the blocks substituted for them, as described, may be one-half or three-eighths of an inch thick. lVhen the lifting force is applied to the device by means of the lever bar, there is of course a tendency for the plate 1 to bend at the point where it passes around the corner of the die; but this tendency is effectively resisted by tension in the plate 1, the abutment 8 by its engagementwith the opposite face of the die preventing endwise movement of the plate 1.

When one side of the die has been pan tially lowered as above explained, the abutment 8 is removed from the plate 1 and the latter is withdrawn. Then the plate is inserted from the opposite side of the stone and the abutment again applied, the power end of the device being new disposed, in relation to the stone, where the abutment device was in the first instance, while the abutment is disposed on the opposite side of the die where the power end of the device was in the-first instance. In withdrawing and reinserting the device the procedure with respect to its power end is the same as before, and with respect to the abutment end of the device the procedure is the same except that the wedge 7-: is not required by reason of the partial lowering of the adjacent side of the die.

When the lowering device again placed in position as described, a lifting bar is used as before to raise one side of the die to sutliciently permit the withdrawal of the blocks (1 on that side of the'die whereupon the device is lowered until the die rests upon two of the leads (I, (Z. Thereupon the lowering device is once more withdrawn and reinsert ed as in the first instance and, the abutment device having been suitably secured in position, the die is lifted so that the thin blocks which were substituted for the thicker blocks 0, (2 can be withdrawn; and when these blocks have been withdrawn, the die is lowered until it rests on the other two leads (Z, (Z. The die now rests in its final position and the thickness of the supporting leads (Z, (Z, is sutficient to give clearance for the thin plate-like part 1 of the lowering device so that it is readily withdrawn. Then the lowering of the stone has been completed, as described, the joint between the base and the die can be finished by wedging in lead or in any other of the well-known Ways.

The manner of using the device when constructed as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is substantially the same as has been described in. connection. with the form. of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and need not be de scribed in detail. It will be understood that the double form of construction is especially adapted for handling large stones as the requisite strength is more readily secured in the double form of construction. When a device of the double form of construction is not in use, the rod 19 can be withdrawn from the castings 17 so that the parts may be more conveniently handled.

The preferred construction and a typical use of my improved lowering device having now been described, the principle upon which its construction and operation are based will readily be understood if the plate like member 1 is considered as divided into two sections by an imaginary line near the power end, as the line xg in Fig. 1. It will be observed that this line divides the plate-like member into an angled or hooklike section at the left of the line and an elongated plate-like or strap-like section to the right of the line. Now, when the lifting force is applied to the hook-like section the latter, being relatively very thin, tends, of course, to straighten out where it is bent around the corner of the stone; but this is prevented by the tension which is created in the strap-like part, this latter section being held against endwise movement by the abutment which engages the face of the stone. In other words, the device is so designed that its effective strength is determined by the tensile strength of its material rather than by its stifiness.

While I have set forth and explained the forms of construction which I have found to be preferable, it will be understood that my invention is not limited to these particular forms of construction, the essential thing being the provision of plate-like means adapted to underlie the body to be lowered adjacent one upright face and to have a lifting force applied to it, together with plate-like means, of suitable tensile strength, joining the first plate-like means and adapted to extend beneath the body to an opposite upright face thereof, and an abutment device on the last named means arranged to cooperate with an opposing upright face, preferably the last named upright face of the body being lowered, the parts of the device being so constructed and related that it can be withdrawn from under the body after the latter has been lowered to its final resting place on the permanent supports.

What I claim is I 1. A lowering device of the character set forth having a plate-like section adapted to extend around a bottom corner of the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to it, and an elongated plate-like section joining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite bottom corner of the said body, in combination with an abutment removably mounted on the last named section and adapted to engage the upright face of the said body adjacent the last named bottom corner thereof.

2. A lowering device of the character set forth having a plate-like section adapted to extend around a bottom corner of the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to it, and an elongated plate-like section joining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite bottom corner of the said body, in combination with an abutment adjustably mounted on the last named section and adapted to engage the upright face of the said body adjacent the last named bottom corner thereof.

3. A lowering device of the character set forth having a plate-like section adapted to extend around a bottom corner of the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to it, and an elongated plate-like section joining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite bottom corner of the said body, in combination with an abutment adjustably and removably mounted on the last named section and adapted to engage the upright face of the said body adjacent the last named bottom corner thereof.

4. A lowering device of the character set forth having a plate-like section adapted to engage the under side of the body to be lowered at points adjacent an upright face of the said body and to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an elongated platelike section joining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite upright face thereon, in combination with an adj ustable abutment on the second named platelike section adapted to engage the last named upri ht face of the said body.

5. A lowering device of the character set forth havin a plate-like section adapted to engage the under side of the body to be lowered at points adjacent an upright face of the said body and to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an elongated plate-like sectionjoining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite upright face thereof, in combination with an abutment removably mounted on the second named plate-like section and adapted to engage the last named upright face of the said body.

6. A lowering device of the character set forth having a plate-like section adapted to engage the under side of the body to be lowered at points adjacent an upright face of the said body and to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an elongated plate-like section joining the first named section and adapted to extend from the latter under the body to be lowered to an opposite upright face thereof, in combination with an abutment adjustably and removably mounted on the second named plate-like section adapted to engage the last named upright face of the said body.

7. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to one of its ends, and an abutment removably mounted on the other end part of said plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

8. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to one of its ends, and an abutment adjustably mounted on the other end part of said plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

9. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to one of its ends, and an adjustable abutment removably mounted on the opposite end of the plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

10. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and having one end upturned and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment removably mounted on the other end part of the said plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

11. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered. and having one end upturned and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment adjustably mounted on the other end part of the said plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

12. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member a dapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and having one end upturned and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment adjustably and removably mounted on the other end part of the said platelike member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

- 13. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and having one end. upturned, a casting secured to said upturned end and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment removably mounted. on the other end part of the plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

14. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and having one end upturned, a casting secured to said upturned end and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment adjustably mounted on the other end part of the platelike member and adapted to en age an upright face of the body to be lowered.

15. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and having one end upturned, a casting secured to said upturned end and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and an abutment adjustably and removably mounted on the other end part of the plate-like member and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

16. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of an elongated plate-like member adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered, said member being also adapted at one end to have a lifting force applied thereto and being formed in its other end part with a longitudinally extending series of holes, and an abutment device comprising a slotted block and a bolt an upright face of the body to be lowered.

18. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged. parallel to each other and adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered, means connecting said plate-like members at one end adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and abutment devices adjustably mounted on the other end parts of the said plate-like members and adapted to engage an upright face of the body to be lowered.

19. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged par allel to each other and adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered, means connecting said plate-like members at one end adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and abutment devices adjustably and removably mounted on the other end parts of the said plate-like members and adapted to engage an upright face of the bodv to be lowered.

20. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged parallel to each other and turned upward at one end, a rod connecting the upturned ends of the plate-like members and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and abutment devices removably mounted on the other end parts of the plate-like members, the said plate-like members being adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and said abutment devices being adapted to engage an upright face of the said body.

21. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged parallel to each other and turned upward at one end, a rod connecting the upturned ends of the plate-like members and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and abutment devices adjustably mounted on the other end parts of the plate-like members, the said plate-like members being adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and said abutment devices being adapted to engage an upright face of the said body.

22. In a lowering device of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of elongated plate-like members arranged parallel to each other and turned upward at one end, a rod connecting the upturned ends of the plate-like members and adapted to have a lifting force applied thereto, and abutment devices adjustably and removably mounted on the other end oarts of the platelike members, the said p ate-like members being adapted to extend beneath the body to be lowered and said abutment devices being adapted to engage an upright face of the said body.

23. In a lowering apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a power receiving device adapted to lie adjacent an upright face of a body to be lowered and to have a lifting force applied to it, an abutment device adapted to engage an upright face at the opposite side of the said body, and an elongated relatively thin device joined to the power receiving device and the abutment and adapted to extend across the bottom of the body to be lowered, one of the first two devices named being removable from the said elongated device and one being adjustable longitudinally thereof.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signa-' ture, in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. H. FAWOETT.

Witnesses:

EGBERT E. COLE, J. K. GEMMELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

